60 to 80% of bearing failures are related to lubrication!
However, it is an essential part of the vast majority of machines: electric motors, pumps, reducers, grinders, conveyor belts… and the quality of the parts has become such that there are almost no failures due to manufacturing defects.
In order to significantly improve the reliability of your installations, follow these best practices:
Putting the right lubricant in the right place
Proper lubricant selection is critical for maximizing lubrication efficiency, minimizing costs and reducing the risk of failure. The choice of lubricant as well as the method of lubrication may be determined by:
- machine-specific requirements
- application and environmental adjustments
Excess lubrication: Example of electric motor
Excess lubrication can have adverse consequences on assets. If too much grease is added, it can be pushed inside the motor onto the winding, causing damage, breaking the insulation, and ultimately resulting in premature failure. Even with the use of armored bearings, internal grease deflectors and vent plugs, it is common to have grease on the internal winding of the motor.
Several techniques can be used to avoid excess lubrication:
- Using ultrasound technology
- Calculating the necessary quantity of grease
Erwan Lecuyer,
Marketing Specialist – Spartakus Technologies
erwan.lecuyer@spartakustech.com